Of Water, Earth, and Sky

This project was intended for a three month display, beginning in August 2017, in Independence Plaza Park, Kansas City, MO. It is a life-size female figure, moving forward with arms extended, made from terracotta clay, paint, and fabric. The piece is inspired by the essence of women and the natural world, and is part of “In the Image and Likeness,” a series of works devoted to the divine spark in females. The creative power of women is unmatched and awe inspiring. However, many societal structures and media representations of women ultimately erode authentic feminine power. The physical and symbolic power of Mother Nature shows us quite otherwise and cannot be eroded. Clay is found in a variety of colors and places around the world and embodies the human qualities of being malleable, precious, and strong.

Many viewers thought the sculpture was a real woman praying or meditating in the park. Unfortunately, the piece was damaged several days after installation, highlighting widespread violence against women. After several weeks of repair, she is like new again, and moved to Scuola Vita Nuova School, a protected space on fenced grounds, with lights and security cameras. Moving her to this location is symbolic of what needs to happen with real, vulnerable females until they are safe everywhere.

In the Image and Likeness

In the Image and Likeness is a series of works devoted to the divine spark in females. Gold often symbolizes what is precious and valuable. In contrast, clay is abundant and found all over the world. Here, the ordinary clay is precious, as is every female.

Exit

Exit included two life-size figure sculptures based on homeless youth. Made of unfired clay and left alone in downtown Kansas City winter for two weeks, these figures were extremely vulnerable to harsh weather conditions and public interaction, similar to what a real person would be exposed to in such circumstances.

Special thanks to the Charlotte Street Foundation and the Downtown Council for their support for this project.

Mother and Child

Mother and Child series is based on ideas of motherhood and caring for children regardless of birth relation or racial heritage. I made originals and cast in various clays. The beauty of the red, dark brown, and cream colored clays mirror the beauty in human diversity. Hands are modular and interchangeable, respecting differences in families.

Materials: Various fired clays with underglaze. Figures are 22"h and 12"h. Hands are life-size.

Veil

Veil series includes Divine Feminine imagery based on found objects and traditional religious wall hangings. I created new originals and altered each one to have more naturalistic features.

Fired porcelain with underglaze, gold liquid leaf, and found objects.

Sunset, terra cotta with underglaze and gold liquid leaf, 12"h, 2016

Being and Becoming

Being and Becoming was an exhibition of life-size wet and fired clay figures, found objects, and a video projection. The series of sculptures focused on early moments in childhood and the vulnerable and malleable nature of human life. This work also investigated the place of children in society, and what it means to grow and transform.